Prayers to Live By: Psalm 141

This morning I read Psalm 141 and note the wise requests of David. Written during a time of distress, this psalm shows us David’s focus. I love the way David thinks of God. He asks God to do 10 things that we might also pray today:

  1. In verse 1, David asks for the Lord to come quickly and to hear him.
  2. In verse 2, David asks that his prayer is pleasing to God as an acceptable sacrifice.
  3. In verse 3, David asks that God would guard his speech.
  4. In verse 4, David asks that his heart not be drawn to what is evil.
  5. In verse 5, David asks for righteous men to correct him when he needs it.
  6. In verse 6, David asks that his words will prove correct in the face of evil.
  7. In verse 7, David asks that the wicked would understand their destiny.
  8. In verse 8, David asks for safety since his eyes are fixed on God.
  9. In verse 9, David asks that he not fall into any traps or snares
  10. In verse 10, David asks that the wicked instead will fall into these traps.

Psalm 141

A psalm of David.

1 I call to you, Lord, come quickly to me;
    hear me when I call to you.
2 May my prayer be set before you like incense;
    may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.

3 Set a guard over my mouth, Lord;
    keep watch over the door of my lips.
4 Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil
    so that I take part in wicked deeds
along with those who are evildoers;
    do not let me eat their delicacies.

5 Let a righteous man strike me—that is a kindness;
    let him rebuke me—that is oil on my head.
My head will not refuse it,
    for my prayer will still be against the deeds of evildoers.

6 Their rulers will be thrown down from the cliffs,
    and the wicked will learn that my words were well spoken.
7 They will say, “As one plows and breaks up the earth,
    so our bones have been scattered at the mouth of the grave.”

8 But my eyes are fixed on you, Sovereign Lord;
    in you I take refuge—do not give me over to death.
9 Keep me safe from the traps set by evildoers,
    from the snares they have laid for me.
10 Let the wicked fall into their own nets,
    while I pass by in safety.

Share the Post: